What is the difference between pumpkins and gourds

Now, brace yourself because this is about to turn into a botanical who's-on-first routine: Not all gourds are squash, but many squashes are gourds and a pumpkin is a squash and also a gourd. Complicating the matter even more is that the term "pumpkin" doesn't really mean anything botanically speaking, as they are actually just plain old squash. Squash are divided into two categories: tender or summer squash, and hard-skinned or winter squash.

Summer squash includes things like zucchini and, well, summer squash. Winter squash are hard with thick skins that help them last through the long winter. Think of things like butternut, acorn, hubbards, and pumpkins. As for gourds, that term includes plants in both the genera Cucurbita soft-skinned gourds and Lagenaria hard-skinned gourds , so a pumpkin is also technically a gourd. If you're not confused enough, here's one more fun fact: Pumpkins are squash and also gourds, and also… fruit.

At least according to the Farmer's Almanac , all of those edible, seed-filled squash and gourds are fruit. Got that? But have you ever wondered aloud or otherwise , "Hey, can you eat those suckers?

Surely there was a reason you clicked on this story—because you needed to know whether or not these lumpy gourds can actually become dinner. Well, you've come to the right place. This is not as dumb of a question as it might seem. All three are subcategories of the Cucurbitaceae family, meaning they are all fruits that stem from herbaceous vining plants. Their genetics and terminology tend to overlap to a bewildering degree. The word "pumpkin" doesn't really pertain to much, botanically, as it is really just a type of squash as is butternut squash or acorn squash, for example , while the word "gourd" is meant to represent a different branch of the Cucurbitaceae family.

Generally, gourds are going to have rigid exteriors, and don't have an abundance of "fleshy" insides that make them good eats—unlike squash. Most squash is cultivated for consumption, while most gourds are grown for purely decorative purposes.

So really, when people define something as a gourd, they basically mean "inedible squash. But again, these definitions are more circumstantial than anything else.

A full-grown pumpkin can be considered a squash—but when you think about the miniature pumpkins, those are more like gourds, because they are small, extremely hard to open, and don't contain much edible substance. It all really comes down to whether or not it's going to be a good bite. Technically, yes, but there are some inherent difficulties in eating gourds.

Mainly, they're hard to cook, hard to eat, and It's kind of like how you can eat fondant, but it's mostly decorative and doesn't taste great. A stack of gourds makes an eye-catching decoration inside your home or outside in the yard.

Fresh, uncured gourds may last for a few weeks before going bad. If you dry and preserve your gourds, though, they'll last for many years. Do pumpkins make you fat?

Simply put, pumpkin is a weight-loss friendly food because you can consume more of it than other carb sources — such as rice and potatoes — but still take in fewer calories. This makes it a nutrient-dense food. It's also a good source of fiber, which may suppress your appetite.

What are the different types of pumpkins? Among them: Autumn Gold. Skin: Yellowish-orange. Additional names include: Big Autumn. Connecticut Field Pumpkins. Harvest Moon. Jumpin' Jack. Sugar or Pie Pumpkins. How do pumpkins grow successfully? Pumpkins do best when the seeds are planted directly in the ground. If your growing season is very short, seed indoors in peat pots about 2 to 4 weeks before last spring frost.

Be sure to harden off before transplanting. Are gourds poisonous? Part of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes squash, watermelons and cucumbers, gourds are not toxic to humans, though those sold for decoration may need a good wash before being consumed.

What does a white pumpkin mean? Eerie-looking white pumpkins — naturally white, not painted — are finding their way into more and more homes this Halloween season.